Referendum 2019 - Fact Page

On April 2nd. we are asking the public to raise our operating tax rate to 21.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.

*A yes vote in April means you support this effort and a no vote means you do not.

If this ballot measure is approved, average homes in the White Oak Library District would pay about $1.40 more per month.

Here is the actual question that will appear on the ballot this November:"Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the White Oak Library District, Will County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.0296% above the limiting rate for levy year 2018 and be equal to 0.215% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2019?"

So what does all of that mean for you?Essentially if this referendum were to pass, a $100,000 home would pay an additional $8.39 toward the annual library operating tax. Obviously the average home is worth more than $100,000. Taking that into account, the average home would pay about $16.80 more per year ($1.40 more per month) if this referendum is approved.

What Else Happens if the Referendum Passes?With the additional funds, the White Oak Library District plans to improve library services to the public. The need for these proposed improvements is based on public feedback received from a recent survey as well as goals set forth in our Strategic Plan (which was formulated in late 2014 with input from a Citizen's Advisory Committee). The main service enhancements which we plan to provide are as follows:

Proposed Increased HoursIn 2010 our hours were reduced from 68 hours per week to 60 hours per week at each of our branch locations. We seek not only to restore those lost hours, but also add a few more based on the feedback we received in our public user survey. The proposed new set of hours would be:

Proposed Increased OutreachOur services for older adults are as proven as they are wonderful, but we know more are needed. Nearly 25% of our District residents are seniors (that's about 20,000 people) and our current Outreach services need to expand to meet this growing need. Our lobby stop service is very popular as are home delivery, talking books, and our new memory kits. With a successful referendum we can extend these wonderful services to all District residents who need them.

Proposed Digital Media LabOur residents need a digital media lab where they and local business owners can transfer VHS to DVD, restore family photos, create cutting edge promotional materials, record oral histories and audio podcasts, film captivating videos, and so much more. Wherever these labs have been created throughout Chicagoland, they have proven to be great successes.

Now Let's look at some facts about our libraries1. Our libraries are busy. Between fiscal year 2010/2011 and fiscal year 2017/2018 we saw the amount of materials checked out increase by nearly 21%.

2. Our libraries serve as cultural centers for each town in our District. Between FY2010/11 and FY2017/18 our program attendance increased by over 175%. More and more people are taking advantage of the library's services.

3. Our libraries had a total of 350,000 visits last year.

4. The current return on investment for the library is well over 5 to 1. Meaning for every $1 paid by the public toward operating our libraries, over $5 in services are received by the public in return.

5. The library is asking for $1.40 more per month for the average home. $1.40 per month.

6. Currently, the tax that pays to operate our libraries is collected at a rate of 18.54 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. This referendum seeks to increase that rate to 21.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Calculating The Tax Bill Impact on a $185,000 home:

For those who are curious, this is how the formula works:

1. Determine the property’s fair cash value on the tax bill (this will be a bit less than what the house can actually sell for on the open market). Let’s say that value is $185,000.